quote:

• It seems almost humorous that a team as stacked as the Colts would heap such praise on an undrafted rookie, but team sources tell us the Colts are genuinely excited about what DT Eric Foster brings to the table. A third-team Associated Press All-American in 2006, the Rutgers product had a stellar collegiate career, but his small size (6-1, 273 pounds) scared off teams from drafting him. Quick, undersized tackles have a long history of thriving in coach Tony Dungy
  
  
• Texans rookie CB Antwaun Molden’s speed has been eye-catching in his initial work with his new club, a source close to the club tells PFW. Whether Molden can contribute in his first season remains to be seen, but he certainly has the physical tools needed to succeed.’s defense, which is predicated upon getting a strong pass rush from the front four, and Foster has a chance to be the next in line.
  
  
• The Steelers are high on rookie OLB-DE Bruce Davis, the way we hear it, and the expectation is that he will be a contributor in his first NFL season. Davis, the Steelers’ third-round pick, had 24½ sacks in his last two seasons at UCLA.
  
  
• Speculation is high at Halas Hall that the addition of Bears fifth-round CB Zackary Bowman, who made a nice impression in the team’s rookie minicamp with his size and athleticism, doesn’t bode well for veteran CB Ricky Manning Jr., whom many regular team observers expected to be shown the door by now, a la Adam Archuleta.
  
  
• The offensive star of the Giants’ rookie minicamp was not third-round WR Mario Manningham, but rather undrafted WR D.J. Hall, who remains mystified that he was not picked in the draft. Hall made a number of impressive catches and appeared to gain some notice with the coaching staff heading into OTAs.
  
  
• With first-round picks RB Jonathan Stewart and ORT Jeff Otah sitting out while nursing injuries, we hear third-round FS Charles Godfrey was the most impressive youngster at the Panthers’ recent minicamp. Sources say the rookie played like he had been in the league for five years.
  
  
• The word on Cardinals rookie DE Kenny Iwebema at the team’s early-May minicamp was that the fourth-round pick looked deceptively strong. Team insiders are already speculating that the presence of both Iwebema, who was coached by Cardinals D-line coach Ron Aiken at the University of Iowa, and fellow rookie DE Calais Campbell, who is also capable of moving inside, has increased the likelihood that Antonio Smith, who’ll be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season, could be playing elsewhere in ’09.
  
  
• There are plenty of interesting rumblings regarding the Rams’ offensive line, which was a mess much of the time last season. Team insiders tell us that both rookies John Greco (third round) and Roy Schuening (fifth round) are considered future starters and could respectively push ORT Alex Barron and ORG Richie Incognito for playing time sooner than later. Speaking of Incognito, we hear he’s not being ruled out of the battle for the starting center job. Incognito played the position at Nebraska, and the only problem sources envision with him in that role is his shotgun snaps, which might need some work.
  
  
• We hear Seahawks top draft pick Lawrence Jackson looked instantly comfortable at the team’s early-May minicamp, filling a number of roles on the defensive line (right end, left end, tackle in the nickel) with equal effectiveness.

quote:

• Browns rookie LB Beau Bell could force his way onto the field as a rookie, the way we hear it, if his early form with the club is any indication. Bell has good size (6-1, 244) for the position and has flashed some impressive ability.
  
  
• Word from Browns camp is that rookie Paul Hubbard looks the part of a pro wide receiver, but his hands will tell the tale as to whether he can contribute.
  
  
• The Giants think they may have a keeper in rookie LB Bryan Kehl. It’s not clear if Kehl will be able to crack the starting lineup early in his first season, but the team thinks his athleticism and smarts are enough to make him a starter at some point.
  
  
• We hear rookie free-agent LB Ezra Butler, who was cut by the Niners recently after his arrest for driving under the influence and misdemeanor possession of marijuana, was considered to have genuine pro potential by more than a few team staffers. One NFL scout told a team insider that he thought Butler, who was a tackling machine at Nevada, possessed second-round talent.

quote:

Originally posted by repairman:
What does RAC say "Everybody looks good in shorts". Let's see what happens when they put pads on.

Same can be said about Bell, Rucker and Hubbard.

quote:

Originally posted by ATENEARS:
Good point Repairman ... rookies always get such false glory before the vets throw them around like ragdolls.

quote:

• Sources in Miami tell us rookie Jake Long is every bit the physical specimen he’s been billed as, but he clearly has a long way to go before becoming an upper-crust offensive lineman. Through minicamp, Long, the first overall pick in the draft, has shown glimpses of dominance as a run blocker but has struggled to hold speed rushers at bay in pass protection.
  
  
• While the Ravens’ ORT job is likely to remain Adam Terry’s come September, we’re hearing rookie Oneil Cousins might take over the position in 2009. Cousins’ feistiness has been apparent early in his pro career — he’s already been involved in two on-field skirmishes.
  
  
• The early indication from our Cardinals sources is that, based on how he looked and performed in the team’s OTAs, undrafted rookie LB Ali Highsmith has a decent shot at making the final roster cut. Highsmith fell off most draft boards after registering two 5.0 40-times at this year’s Scouting Combine, but OTA observers told PFW that the three-year starter at LSU has displayed an impressive blend of strength and quickness up to now.

quote:

The early indication from our Cardinals sources is that, based on how he looked and performed in the team’s OTAs, undrafted rookie LB Ali Highsmith has a decent shot at making the final roster cut. Highsmith fell off most draft boards after registering two 5.0 40-times at this year’s Scouting Combine, but OTA observers told PFW that the three-year starter at LSU has displayed an impressive blend of strength and quickness up to now.

quote:

Originally posted by Solon16:

quote:

The early indication from our Cardinals sources is that, based on how he looked and performed in the team’s OTAs, undrafted rookie LB Ali Highsmith has a decent shot at making the final roster cut. Highsmith fell off most draft boards after registering two 5.0 40-times at this year’s Scouting Combine, but OTA observers told PFW that the three-year starter at LSU has displayed an impressive blend of strength and quickness up to now.

I couldn't believe he didn't get drafted...I think he will make there team and play...he is a good football player!

quote:

Rookie woes

Bengals first-round draft choice, linebacker Keith Rivers appears to be worth his weight in gold. He was a disruptive force in the backfield and showed great range in pass coverage. Rivers plays with a lot of tenacity and is a student of the game. He had a good overall showing in minicamp.

It was the complete opposite for second-round pick wide receiver Jerome Simpson. Simpson struggled terribly on Saturday causing two Palmer interceptions by failing to complete his routes. The first interception was picked off and returned for a touchdown by cornerback Johnathan Joseph. The second pick took place in the endzone.

There were a few knocks on Simpson coming out of college and a couple stood out during practice.

One: Due to his outstanding leaping ability he tends to jump for passes when he doesn't need to.

Two: Harnessing his competitive nature and not getting frustrated when things get rough.

Simpson getting down on himself could have led to the second interception.

Simpson is no way ready to replace former Bengals Chris Henry as the No. 3 receiver. In fact, third-round pick Andre Caldwell might be ahead of him at this point.

Simpson will probably be more effective and better served on special-teams until he is developed. There is no question that he is experiencing some real growing pains early on. Where's Alan Thicke when you need him.